Detalle de los Procedimientos de Apertura de Cuenta

History

Montpelier, Vermont has been the site of settlement for over 6000 years. Archeological evidence indicates that by 1200 AD there were extensive Native American settlements and trading routes in the area. European settlers arrived in the early 18th _{century and developed towns throughout} the region, dispersing the Native inhabitants and replacing native communities with colonial towns and villages. Montpelier was first chartered in 1781 as a land grant to settlers emigrating from Massachusetts. By the early 1800’s, the population in the village had grown to 1200, and the economy was largely based on the processing of flour in gristmills. Montpelier was chosen to be the state capitol of Vermont in 1805 because of its central location in the state. The railroads arrived in mid 1800’s and further secured the economy by spurring industrial growth. A gridiron street pattern was laid out in 1858, with the major transportation corridors paralleling the

Winooski River.

The City of Montpelier was incorporated in 1895 and after annexing lands to the south in 1898 took on the form it keeps today. Due in a large part to the extensive out-migration of residents toward the Western United States in the late 19th century, the population of Montpelier has grown slowly. Yet, as a government seat and industrial anchor, Montpelier has grown steadily. Over the course of the 20th century Montpelier has become known as a regional center for commerce with much of it’s local economy based on insurance and financial services. Significant

architectural resources from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries are well preserved in the historic district as well as the Vermont and Woodbury college campuses, and the colonial street pattern is still largely intact. (History)

Growth Patterns and Demographics

The total land area in the City of Montpelier represents 10.2 square miles, which encompasses 6,528 acres. The population of Montpelier dropped between 1990 and 2000 by 2.5 percent, according to the US Census but over the same decade, the number of housing units increased by 3.3 percent. In 2000 the total population was 8,035, and the median household income was $37,513. Only 7.2 percent of families were living below the poverty level. In 2000, the racial makeup in Montpelier consisted of 96.6 percent white, .6 percent black, and 2.8 percent other. The largest minority population is Asian. (US Census 2000)

Municipal Planning Process

In Montpelier, the Department of Planning and Community Development, DPCD, handles all planning and zoning matters. The DPCD has a variety of stated objectives including: to protect and improve Montpelier's natural and built environment; to strengthen the local economy and tax base; to meet the housing needs of low moderate income residents; to engage the community in short and long term planning initiatives; and to provide public information. The department administers the City’s development approval process, which includes zoning, subdivision, and design review. Departmental staff is responsible for managing the Planning Commission, Design Review Committee, Development Review Board, and Historic Preservation Commission.

(Planning and Community Development)

The Planning Commission until recently was responsible for administering the development approval process but, with the creation of a Development Review Board in 2002, is now focused on updating the Montpelier Master Plan. The update will include significant changes to the City’s land use, parking, and open space policies, as well as renewed sign regulations. The Planning Commission also works in collaboration with the Department of Community and Economic Development to study and promote mechanisms for the creation of affordable and work force housing. (Planning Commission) The Planning Commission meets twice a month and all meetings are open to the public. Membership to the commission includes seven appointed volunteers who have special knowledge or interest in city planning.

The Development Review Board, DRB, was established in 2002 by the City Council to combine the development review functions of the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment into a single body. The DRB hears and decides upon the appropriateness of development proposals measured against standards and procedures outlined in the Montpelier Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. Specific duties of the DRB include: ruling on appeals for decisions of the Zoning Administrator, adjudicating appeals for variances, consideration of applications for conditional uses and subdivisions, site plan and design review approval, floodplain development site selection, and interpretation of the provisions of the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. (Development Review Board) The DRB is comprised of nine volunteer appointees who meet twice a month. All meetings are open to the public. The DRB also accepts recommendations from the Design Review Committee and Historic Preservation Commission. The DRB is governed by rules of procedure, which lay out the protocol and authority of the board.

The Design Review Committee, DRC, consists of five appointed volunteers who have explicit knowledge and interest in urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, or a related field. The jurisdiction of the DRC is the Design Control District, which is an overlay zone in

Montpelier. All proposed exterior alterations to structures, new construction, and land development within the controlled district is subject to review by the DRC. As an advisory board, the committee hears and reviews plans and makes recommendations for action to the DRB.

The design review criteria are listed in the Montpelier Zoning and Subdivision Regulations and include: harmony and compatibility of exterior design, material compatibility, landscaping compatibility, location and appearance of utilities, vista and view protection, and preservation of appropriate architectural styles for properties in the historic district. (Zoning and Subdivision Requirements, Section 505F) The City also published design guidelines, Cityscape I and II, for use by the DRC and property owners in interpreting the design criteria. The DRC serves the public function of offering early design guidance to property owners and developers. Applicants may choose to take part in design consultations with the DRC in order to gain insight into design requirements and characteristics of compliant projects. This process can prove financially beneficial to applicants and shorten the overall length of the approval process.

The Design Control Overlay District consists of the Central Business District, the Capitol Complex area, the Memorial Drive gateway, the Vermont College and Woodbury College campuses, office park districts, and other designated areas where historic preservation and design considerations have been determined as necessary. (See Appendix B, Figure 2.2) (Design Review Committee)